Lui loving the life with Wests Tigers - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Lui loving the life with Wests Tigers

Ian McCullough 08/09/2011 04:29:51 PM Comments (0)

After finishing a difficult year strongly, Robert Lui is feeling the love at the Wests Tigers and desperate to remain at the NRL club.

The 21-year-old halfback was criticised for his form at the start of the season with an assault charge against his partner hanging over his head, as the Tigers failed to live up to the pre-season prediction as premiership contenders.

However, in mid-April the case was dismissed in a Sydney court allowing the softly-spoken north Queenslander to build on his burgeoning partnership with Benji Marshall.

The pair's form over the last two months has been a major factor in the Tigers' run of eight successive victories, and although he's been linked with a move to North Queensland, Lui has no intention of fleeing Tigerland.

"I have one more year left on my contract and hopefully we can sort something out," Lui said.

"I love it here, love the club, love the boys, they have been good for me and my family and we want to stay."

Marshall's recent performances have grabbed all the headlines, but Lui insists his role in the team is to alleviate pressure on the New Zealand superstar and take advantage of attempts by opposing sides to shut him out.

"He is a big part of our game and whoever we come up against they always try to mark up on him, but this can bring Tim Moltzen and myself into the game," he said.

"Blake Ayshford has also been a big performer this year and we all try to take the pressure off Benji.

"I used to tend to drift out of games, but I have learned from that, and that I have to help out and let Benji work his magic when he gets the ball."

The Tigers take on the Dragons as the form team of the NRL, but Lui is wary of the premiers, but said memories of their heartbreaking 13-12 defeat in last year's preliminary final still linger.

However, he credits the 16-14 win over Wayne Bennett's side as the catalyst to their good run.

"We've got good momentum and have won eight in a row, but it means nothing now. We have to prepare well and be on our A-game," he said.

"Beating the Dragons gave us confidence and was the start of this momentum we've built.

"But the Dragons are a world-class team, they have good forwards, fast backs and they want to send (Mark) Gasnier out with a bang.

"There is a rivalry there, they beat us in a major semi and that is still in our minds."

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